Thursday, June 04, 2009

Tiger killing case: Goa Govt seeks report from forest dept

The state government has sought detailed report from the forest department about the tiger killing case reported at Keri village in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary here.

"We have received preliminary report in the case and I have asked Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Shashi Kumar to file a detailed report by June 5," State Forest Minister Philip Nery Rodrigues said.

The tiger killing case had reportedly happened in February this year. The big cat was killed and later burnt to destroy the evidence allegedly by some villagers in a cashew plantation dotting Keri village.

Rodrigues said that the forest department is still in the process to compile the investigation findings.

He said that the CCF has confirmed that they have found the burnt carcass of animal.

"They will be able to certify it as a tiger only after forensic examination. I will be able to give details only after CCF submits his report," the Minister said.

The forest department officials on Tuesday had confirmed that they had found the teeth, jaw and fur of tiger.

Deputy conservator of Forest Subhash Henrique had said that they had found the leg bone which was cut into pieces probably to destroy the evidence.

The tiger killing was exposed after a local media carried a picture of tiger carcass.

Department sources confirmed that police sniffer dogs were pressed into service to reach to the site where killing took place.